| The myths continues -- that a real,
respectable book must be in print and it must be over 160 pages. Even better it's
traditionally published. Rethink with the faster Premier Branding approach: Write a short
book first. Finish it fast so you can get your important message out to thousands, even
hundreds of thousands, gain credibility, and create an ongoing increased stream of income.
To take your business from OK to booming, incorporate
these top ten "Do and Don't" book tips:
1. Write your short (30-100 pages) book.
Know people's reading hours are down from 123 hours per
year in 1999, to 109 hours in 2001, and in 2005--a much lower figure. They want short,
easy-to-read books that answer questions they have on a particular topic.
2. Write your print book and eBook at the same time.
It's easy to just use two folders, one for each version.
You may keep a lot of the same material in both formats, but for the eBook, you will drop
some of the stories and examples to get right to the point. You will keep more to the how
to's.
3. Write the easiest chapter first.
After you make a list of challenges and questions your
audience wants answered, take 2-5 of them that are totally related for the middle part of
your chapter. The introduction chapter is often the hardest to write, so warm up and speed
up with the easy choice first.
4. Stop researching so much to write the perfect book.
You know your topic. You know your strengths. You already
have the answers within, so don't think you need to do a lot of research. In fact,
research makes your chapters dry and telling like a lecture, rather than engaging your
readers to finish each chapter by your questions as headings, then answered in your
natural voice. Your natural voice is enough.
5. Use all of your experience to write your book.
You may have some articles written, given a teleclass, or
have some juicy client stories where you solved their challenge. These translate into
compelling chapters. Writing a book is like writing a teleclass in a way. There’s an
organization of the beginning, middle, and end. These ideas can short cut your time to
your book's finish line.
6. Know the pay offs of finishing your book.
If you don't get one out soon and fast, your potential
clients won't know what you have to offer them. You won't build your business beyond a few
clients. You won't have the confidence of being one who is respected and who earns
consistent high income.
7. Know the benefits and features your audience will get
from your book.
Before you write a chapter make a list of 5-10 benefits and
5-10 features your readers want. Do they want a more balanced life, more clients, more
money, and better relationships? Use visual and feeling words to connect with your reader.
After reading my book, you'll see yourself with your new life partner on a beach
celebrating your time together. Or, You'll feel as young as a newlywed.
8. Know your audience well.
First, think of your preferred audience--the one who will
most want your book. Write to that one audience to make your book speak directly to them,
and engage them to want to act on your ideas. With too many audiences in mind, your book
may lack focus and you actually write a book for 3- many audiences. This is the number one
mistake emerging authors make--unless they are Chicken Soup marketeers, of course.
9. Write your audience profile before you write the book.
Know as much as you can about your audience. Who are they
and where do they hang out? What kinds of magazines and books do they buy? What is their
age bracket and interests? Are they Internet savvy? Where will you find them to promote to
them easily? Most book buyers for specific topics like your book will not visit a
bookstore looking for it. Think Internet.
10. Know your thesis before you write much.
A thesis is a statement with a subject and a verb. It
usually implies judgment. It gives the main idea of the book such as "Write you eBook
or Other Short Book -- Fast!" Sometimes your title will also be the thesis as in this
case. Think of the number one general/main challenge/question your book will answer. That
can be your thesis. Make sure every chapter relates to that thesis and you have an
easy-to-read book.
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